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Im curious as well. Im guessing 100k to 150k ish
I’d be surprised if top guys are clearing $200k
What blows my mind is thousands of people show up to race a gncc. But xc1 and xc2 have maybe 10 riders each at most ? But the nationals have to turn away riders and cap the number of entries and riders that can even try to make it to the 40 man gate.
That right there makes you wonder if there is really any money in it? If you are pro and not on one of the small handful of teams you are probably losing money chasing the series.
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I don't think GNCC pro rider pay is very impressive.
There are a few exceptions, but most of the pro's are getting real jobs after they are done racing.
It's unfortunate because it's great racing, but challenging to package to consumers and build a wider spectator following.
(RacerTV available on Youtube is a huge step forward).
Maybe Ben Kelly and Johnny Girroir make that much being on a factory team. If I had to guess the other guys are making modest money.
All speculation of course.
If you're a good local pro, you're better off financially winning a local race or racing the GNCC A class to get contingency.
Yikes! Well there you go, explains why there are only a handful of pros on the line then. Those are some embarrassing numbers.
If they had a better top 20 purse I think you would see a lot more riders out there. Look at Jday.
I did off-road for several years. I don't know where they would come up with money to pay fast guys because it sure won't be from TV. That racing sucks for spectators. 5-10 mile loop through the woods? Yeah...No.
A couple years ago I was told Dante Olivera took a $60k salary, blew my mind. Other riders were pissed, how do you negotiate yourself a decent salary when the #1 west coast off-road guy is making $60k?
I think $100k-$150k is a good estimate for guys like Kelly, but I doubt most of the guys are making close to that.
And that’s combined overall, not like if you win xc2 you get that much it appears.
$100 entry fee and $35 gate fee eats in to your winnings pretty quick too!
Have you watched a GNCC on racer TV? It's actually pretty good coverage. Room for improvement but it's a good step forward.
Yeah, I'm not saying that I don't appreciate their efforts, but it's logistically a nightmare. You have to decide on a few spots to film from on a giant lap, and who the hell knows where the passes happen? Could be anywhere.
All I'm saying is, there's a reason you'll never see it on CBS.
I think most of these guys are on pretty bonus heavy contracts, I know the Kawasaki team Stu runs gets some big bonuses from Kawi for wins.
Obviously they aren't making close to what the SX guys are making but if you are a consistent top 5-10 guy you can have a 10+ year pro career.
They need one pro class, not two.
Drones have made viewing 1000% better
Pit Row
Gate fee's are all cash - and a lot of it. No way all of that makes it to the books.
GNCC's were on NBC a few years ago. I remember seeing the Penton on TV at the bar area of a Washington DC Whole Foods.
XC2 used to be a good stepping stone class, to fill the gap between the seasoned pro's and locals / up and comers.
XC2 started in 2007.
In 2006 there were usually 20-30 on the Pro row.
In 2007 still around 20 in XC1 and 15-30 in XC2.
I think what happened is over time regional series launched or improved, making it less appealing to travel (and pay) for the GNCC's.
JDay, MidEast, AWRCS, Full Gas, etc.
The only way it will be on CBS/NBC when the add a tranny or gender queer with a purse... a lot of shenanigans can og on in the woods
It's gotten a lot better, but I'd really like to see more on-screen position/time updates. It's once a lap currently, and with 30 minute lap times there's a lot of improvement to be had there. The commentators do a pretty good job verbally updating things as riders pass by, though.
I watch all of the GNCC videos. They rarely catch a pass. Top guys should have to wear an onboard camera so we can see more action. Would be a million times more entertaining. Also better after race interviews. More entertainment=more eye balls=more money.
Not really IMO. They've reduced the in the woods camera numbers, and the video quality from in the woods was better 10 years ago. During the broadcast most of the footage is drone shots. In many cases you can't see through the canopy of leaves, and the shots are from too high up to see much detail.
Might be fair to tie the low pro numbers to pay but also need to consider how sketchy it is to go their speed for 3 hours for 13 or how ever many rounds. Remember big buck a few years ago? Something like 1/3 of xc1 got pretty fucked up. Then BK530 about bled out at the Leadbelt NEPG in Missouri. Johnny and Thad have had super gnarly hip/pelvis injuries. The tracks keep getting faster and there hasn't been more than one new venue added in quite awhile.
The series has to make a ton of money on a race weekend from all the amateurs. I would think they could have a decent payout for the 15 pros they have, especially since they have to race with them on the course.
You do know who runs the series lol there not known to give back to the riders!
They have to feed their families also!!
US Hard Enduro does a great job with the onboards
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